Contact Information

Graduation Preparation

ANNOUNCEMENTS

***Friday, March 13, 2015 - Deadline for name to appear in Spring 2015 commencement program***

Grad Fest Event Information

Students may reserve your seat, order regalia, invitations, class rings, and visit with other campus representatives during Grad Fest. While this event is not mandatory, students are encouraged to come enjoy Grad Fest on the following dates:

After the submission of final grades the degree clearance review is a 4-6 week process. The fall 2014 degree clearance process will conclude on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. Fall graduates can expect to receive their diploma by Friday, January 30, 2015.

Congratulations! It is time to reap the rewards of your hard work and academic success by applying for graduation. Allow us to walk you through this process.

How to apply for graduation

Undergraduate student will complete the application form by logging into SOAR, navigating to the Student Center. Select Application for Graduation in the drop-down list of options under Academics. After printing the Application for Graduation, follow the steps outlined below for your college.

Seating information

If you wish to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, you must reserve your seat online by using the link below. Seating is assigned on a “first come, first serve” basis and is limited due to space availability and fire code restrictions. Seating for Spring Commencement will close on Friday, April 17, 2015.

Prior to the purchase of your Cap and Gown, use the link below to ensure that your seat has been reserved for the Commencement Ceremony. The purchase of Cap and Gown does NOT reserve your seat or guarantee a seat for ceremony participation.

RSVP Confirmation Go online to verify if your seat has been reserved. (Please allow 2 business days for name to appear on confirmation list)

Fire codes allow a maximum of 700 chairs on the Bernard Reed Green Coliseum floor. Commencement seating is reserved on a first come, first serve basis for each ceremony. Once the maximum capacity of 700 has been reached for a ceremony, the Registrar’s Office will discontinue accepting seat reservations.

Ceremony times and colleges

Southern Miss - Hattiesburg Campus

Bernard Reed Green Coliseum

Hattiesburg, MS

Ceremony Date and Time

Ceremony Participants

Friday, May 8, 2015 10:00am

College of Arts and Letters

College of Education and Psychology

College of Nursing

Friday, May 8, 2015 2:30pm

College of Business

College of Health

College of Science and Technology

University Libraries (faculty will participate)

Southern Miss - Gulf Coast Campus

Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center

2350 Beach Blvd.

Biloxi, MS

Ceremony Date and Time

Ceremony Participants

Saturday, May 9, 2015 10:00am

USM Gulf Park Graduates

Ceremony information

Commencement is a dignified occasion honoring important educational accomplishments. Decorum and courtesy are important to you and your family, and to your fellow degree candidates and their families. Students that elect to act offensively, disrespectfully, or in any way that disrupts or delays the ceremony will be reported immediately to the Dean of Students for a review of the student’s actions. During this review a hold will be placed on the student’s record preventing the mailing of the diploma or releasing the student’s transcript. After the review, the hold may be lifted pending completion of any sanctions.

Once degree candidates have entered the coliseum and have been seated they are expected to remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony marked by the recession of the faculty.

*Adherence to the University's alcohol policy is expected.

*Improper attire, signs, and insignia will be removed by the marshals.

*Cell phones and other electronic equipment should be turned off.

*Most importantly, when candidates cross the stage to receive their diplomas, they are to do so by walking at a deliberate pace and without any undue actions of celebration.

Graduation Forms

Students will need to complete the Change of Graduation Information form in order to make changes in any of the following areas:

On rare occasion a student will request to participate in a ceremony for which he/she is not an actual degree candidate. These occasions are limited to instances of extenuating circumstances and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A student who wishes to make petition to walk in a ceremony for which he/she is not an actual degree candidate, should use the Graduation Ceremony Petition Form.

Graduation FAQs

When will I receive my diploma?

After the submission of final grades the degree clearance review is a 4-6 week process. The fall 2014 degree clearance process will conclude on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. Fall graduates can expect to receive their diplomas by Friday, January 30, 2015. Diplomas will be mailed to the degree address listed on your Graduation Application.

How do I reserve seating for commencement?

If I'm a summer graduate when do I walk?

Students who graduate in the summer may walk in the Fall Commencement Ceremony.

How/When do I know if I receive my degree?

After the submission of final grades on Monday, December 15, 2014, the degree clearance review is a 4-6 week process. The fall 2014 degree clearance process will conclude on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. After this date, students may click on the "Past Degrees Conferred" link below to see a list of all degrees conferred.

How do I change my graduation date?

Students who know they will not graduate the semester for which they have applied but will graduate a subsequent semester must complete a new degree application (via their SOAR account) and obtain all necessary signatures. The completed form should be submitted to your Dean's Office for processing.

How do I change my name on my diploma?

The name that appears on the diploma is the official name the University currently has on file. Any attempt to change your name requires legal documentation and completion of the Change of Graduation Information Form. *There is a $30.00 fee for this process.